What Happened to the Reptiles summary

“What Happened to the Reptiles” is a meaningful story that combines two strong messages: the importance of living peacefully with people of different backgrounds, and the need to respect nature’s balance. The chapter is presented through the journey of a boy named Prem, who discovers a strange village called Pambupatti where reptiles are missing. Through Prem’s experiences and the story he hears there, the chapter teaches that hatred and fear—whether toward humans or animals—create long-term damage, while harmony brings safety and prosperity. The writer uses a simple folk-tale style to explain deep ideas about communal peace and environmental responsibility.

The story begins with Prem, a young boy who has left his own village because of violent fights between people. In Prem’s village, people had begun hurting each other in the name of religion and language. Temples and mosques were burned, and innocent lives were affected. Prem felt shocked and helpless. He could not tolerate such hatred, so he decided never to return to that place. With pain in his heart and hope for a better life, Prem walked away and eventually reached a different village called Pambupatti. [oai_citation:1‡CBSE Tuts](https://www.cbsetuts.com/ncert-solutions-for-class-6-english-a-pact-with-the-sun-chapter-9/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Pambupatti was unlike any village Prem had ever seen. It was located near a forest on a cliff, and people from many religions and language groups lived there. Yet they did not fight. Everyone worked together like one family. There were no communal tensions, no fear, and no hatred. The village seemed peaceful and welcoming. Prem was amazed that people who could be different in so many ways still chose to live with respect and unity. [oai_citation:2‡CBSE Tuts](https://www.cbsetuts.com/ncert-solutions-for-class-6-english-a-pact-with-the-sun-chapter-9/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

While staying there, Prem noticed something very unusual: he did not see any reptiles in or around the village. In most villages near forests, reptiles such as snakes, lizards, and tortoises are common. But here the area seemed strangely empty of them. Prem asked the villagers why reptiles were missing. The villagers explained that long ago reptiles lived there in plenty and were respected as part of nature. But one incident changed everything.

According to the villagers’ tale, Pambupatti once had a snake-god named Makara who lived in a temple. People worshipped him, and the reptiles lived peacefully in the surrounding forest. One day, some foolish and frightened villagers began spreading the idea that reptiles were dangerous and should be driven away for human safety. This fear grew into hatred. The people decided to chase away snakes, lizards, and tortoises from the forest. They stopped respecting Makara and began treating reptiles like enemies. As a result, Makara felt insulted and hurt. He left the village along with the reptiles. [oai_citation:3‡Pariksha Point](https://parikshapoint.com/ncert-solutions-class-6-english-a-pact-with-the-sun-chapter-9-what-happened-to-the-reptiles/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

At first, the villagers thought they had solved a problem. They believed the village would become safer without reptiles. But soon nature showed them the truth. Without reptiles, many smaller animals and insects multiplied rapidly. Rats increased in huge numbers, frogs and insects spread uncontrollably, and crops started getting damaged. The forest also began rotting because reptiles that helped clean and balance the ecosystem were gone. The natural order was disturbed, and the village suffered. [oai_citation:4‡Pariksha Point](https://parikshapoint.com/ncert-solutions-class-6-english-a-pact-with-the-sun-chapter-9-what-happened-to-the-reptiles/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Realizing their mistake, the villagers understood that reptiles were not useless or evil. They had an important role in controlling pests and keeping the environment healthy. The villagers regretted their actions and prayed for forgiveness. Over time, Makara’s baby (or young crocodile/serpent in some versions of the tale) also questioned why the reptiles had been sent away. The message became clear within the story: hatred driven by ignorance harms everyone, and even the creatures we fear may be essential for our survival. [oai_citation:5‡Pariksha Point](https://parikshapoint.com/ncert-solutions-class-6-english-a-pact-with-the-sun-chapter-9-what-happened-to-the-reptiles/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

The story ends on a hopeful note. The villagers promise to live peacefully with all creatures and to correct their wrong attitude. The moral becomes strong for Prem as well. He learns that just as humans must not fight because of religion or language, they also must not destroy nature through fear. Peaceful coexistence is necessary both in society and in the environment. Prem sees Pambupatti as a model village where harmony should extend to all living beings. The chapter therefore teaches tolerance, respect, and ecological awareness in a simple yet powerful way.